Red tape cuts - latest from the UK Government

Posted by admin on April 8, 2014

For the UK Government the business minister has announced the government's latest planned raft of red tape cuts, designed to simplify and cut back on existing laws and regulations to make it cheaper and easier for UK firms to comply.

In relation to employment law, the new measures announced are:

Acas early conciliation: Anyone considering taking their employer to a tribunal must contact Acas first, who will offer a free conciliation service to attempt to resolve disputes early. From 6 May 2014, this service will be mandatory.

Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) regulations (TUPE): The government has promised that business transfers will be 'simpler' under these regulations, making it easier for firms to comply with the law whilst ensuring employees are protected.

The government has also announced some measures designed to save businesses 'time and money', including:

Environmental: Businesses are no longer required to complete 'Waste Transfer Notes', which will be replaced by an electronic system

Planning: Certain types of development can now be converted to other uses without the need for full planning permission; these include conversions from retail to residential or banking use and changes from agricultural to residential or state funded educational use.

Local authorites and compliance: The 'Primary Authority' scheme lets businesses operating across council boundaries partner up with a single local authority for compliance matters.

A new Regulators' Code: Replacing the Regulators' Compliance Code, a new statutory framework came into force on 6 April which provides a 'clear and flexible' framework for how regulators should engage with those they regulate.